The Rook: Book Review

FBI Special Agent Patrick Bowers, from The Pawn, is called to San Diego, to help with a serial arsonist case. With an apparent suicide and a local kidnapping, the case seems to be getting more tangled, but Bowers unravels it nicely. It takes a personal twist when Bowers love interest and fellow investigator, Lien-hua is asked for by name. Meanwhile, his stepdaughter, Tessa, gets into some trouble of her own.

This was a high-paced suspense, with plenty of action and a page-turning conclusion. It was a good mystery. There were hints of prayer and a higher power--someone to lift us out of our pit; however, there was no strong message or testimony and no strong Christian character. While the characters were three-dimensional, I did not find myself attached to any of them. This was definitely a plot-driven story. Steven James has great use of language, and the fast paced mystery kept me fully engaged. I would recommend this to any mystery or suspense readers, secular or Christian. Although there was not much Christian depth to the story, the mystery was exceptional.

I started The Knight yesterday and will read The Bishop next. Steven James is truly a unique and exciting story-teller. I look forward to reading more about Patrick Bowers' adventures, and I hope that he will find the Truth in the end! Watch for my next two reviews and don't miss the Live Facebook Party next week, August 4 from 7-9pm!!!

Waiting on Wednesday: July 28

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted byBreaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

There are so many good ones coming out, I couldn't decide which ones to highlight, but here are two. Look for more later!

Here are three that are coming out in the next month...

A Hope Undaunted,Winds of Change Series #1 by Julie Lessman

As the 1920s come to a close, Katie O'Connor epitomizes "the new woman"---smart and sassy with goals that include a law career and the perfect husband. But when she spends the summer of 1929 with childhood nemesis Cluny McGee, Katie faces an unexpected choice: commit to her ideal boyfriend, Jack, ---or the man she's always despised? RELEASE DATE: August 1, 2010

Dark Man by Marc Shooley

Charles goes undercover to infiltrate one of the last Christian cells in the South, only to find that someone else is working to infiltrate him. In a world turned over by an oppressive government and a godless society, Charles strives to bring down the last Christian leaders. But sometimes he who persecutes the church is destined to serve her. RELEASE DATE: August 5, 2010

Reinventing Rachel by Alison Strobel

God rewards the faithful! That's what Rachel Westling believes---until her fiance cheats on her and her parents divorce. So she takes her shattered "self" and moves cross-country to live with her friend Daphne---the makeover master! The change is exciting, but what will Rachel do when another tragedy unravels what's left of who she is? RELEASE DATE: August 15, 2010

Teaser Tuesday: The Rook

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

1. Grab your current read,
2. Open to a random page,
3. Share 2 teaser sentences from somewhere on that page,
4. Share the title and author, so that readers can add it to their wish list if they are enticed!!!

***Be Careful Not to include Spoilers!! (Make sure that your teaser doesn't give too much away so that you do not ruin it for future readers!)

This week's teaser is from The Rook by Steven James, page 89:

As I removed the gloves, Lien-hua watched me thoughtfully. when both gloves were on the ground, she said, "So he pulls one glove off, then the other one, just like you did. and see how one of your gloves landed on each side of you? It's natural. So he was on the trail here, between the leather gloves, heading north.

Be sure to check out the Live Facebook Party with Steven James, August 4 from 7:00-9:00pm.

In my Mailbox Monday: July 26

In my Mailbox Monday originates from two blogs:The Printed Page and The Story Siren. I am using it to highlight any books that come into my house the previous week, whether they are from the library, from a store, from a friend or actually in the mailbox.

This week I won one book: Refuge on Crescent Hill by

I also received 2 books for review: The Berenstain Bears and the Gift of Courage and The Berenstain Bears and a Job Well Done

The Faith Dare: Blog Tour and Review

Dare to Live Out Your Faith Like Never Before

The 30-Day Challenge That helps women
Cultivate Passionate Relationship with God

Debbie Alsdorf wants women to experience the radically transforming difference that 30 days can make in their lives. It’s what she calls the Faith Dare, in which she challenges women to develop the habit of focusing on God and living out their faith in every situation for 30 days.

Alsdorf, a popular author, speaker and ministry leader, equips women to undertake this 30-day challenge in her new book, The Faith Dare. To cultivate a lifestyle of daily, passionate faith, she helps readers learn, day by day, to develop habits that will help them connect intimately to God.

Every day, readers will be challenged to go deeper. Examples of the daily dares include:

• Dare to live in the miracle of who you are.
• Dare to believe in God’s power in all circumstances.
• Dare to surrender to the process of change.
• Dare to speak praise, sing praise, and live with confidence in God.

Readers will also learn practical ways of applying God’s Word to their own lives, whether it’s in their personal relationship with God, learning to surrender to self, or living out God’s love to others.

With a personalized study guide, including daily readings, affirmations and challenges, Alsdorf’s 30-day challenge helps readers learn to live out their faith like never before and discover the incredible difference 30 days can make.

I am really enjoying Debbie Alsdorf's Faith Dare!! She has given us a down-to-earth daily devotional, that if taken to heart, will challenge you to deepen your faith, to walk closer to God, to live in the Scriptures, "to live your life to the fullest!"

In the introduction, the dare is described as a "fasting of self," which is something I believe the Lord has been working on in me! Debbie explains that "the daily readings will help you practice looking up to God, looking in at your heart and attitudes, and living out your faith in practical ways." Debbie uses scripture to define faith and explain why it is important. Hebrews 11:6 says "without faith it is impossible to please God;"and Romans 10:17 says "faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." I am familiar with both are verses; however in this context they spoke new truth to me! God is using this book to develop a passion for His Word. I look forward to continuing through the rest of the dare and I plan on repeating it when I am done!

I encourage you to get one and try The Faith Dare as well! Trust God to change you through this book!

Check out Debbie's blog, where you can follow along the 30 day dare. Here is a link for day 1 of the dare!!

Debbie Alsdorf is the author of Deeper and A Different Kind of Wild. She is founder of the popular Design4Living Conferences and speaks with Hearts at Home. She is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors and is director of women's ministries at Cornerstone Fellowship, where her Bible study is attended by hundreds of women every week. Alsdorf lives in California.

More Praise for The Faith Dare by Debbie Alsdorf

"Faith—we all want more, but we're not sure how to get it.
Whether alone or with others, dare to grab hold of this book
to take you farther on your faith journey."
— Elisa Morgan, president emerita, MOPS International

"I've had the pleasure of working with Debbie Alsdorf
not only as a speaker but also as someone I call a close friend.
I dare you to go through this 30-day challenge. I know
you will be encouraged and strengthened in your faith."
— Renee Johnson, Devotional Diva, speaker

"Debbie Alsdorf's heart is to see women's lives transformed by
the power of Jesus and The Faith Dare is another tool to
accomplish just that—life transformation through Christ.
You will gain much from the incredible challenge."
— Kelly Minter, author, speaker, singer

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Available July 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Blogmania Blog Bash and Twitter Party

Blogmania bloggers are all about building relationships – between our blogs, our cherished readers, the online community and business owners. We value each other’s opinion as we all are endeavoring to make the best choices for our home life. So it seemed natural to partner up with The Lane Real Estate Team and Breebee’s blog to bring you our first ever twitter and blog blast party.

The Lane Real Estate Team is all about building relationships through communities – specializing in Kennewick Homes for Sale. And Bree is a blogger – and a mom – trying to think outside of the box and help build community ties in NW Columbus OH via her Kid event website! Our other twitter party sponsors also offer items to help strengthen and maintain relationships – from stationary to hand stamped sentiments. SPONSOR LINKS

Our Party Theme: “Building toward Blogmania with The Lane Real Estate Team“ Info on the Blog Blast:

If you post on your blog(s) our announcement between June 22nd and the twitter party (Aug 22nd) you will be entered to win $100 cash. If we reach 500 blogs there will be two additional $50 drawings, totaling 3 winners!

You can email me, breejanderson@gmail.com for the HTML code for blog(s) links.

Please return with your specific blog post links on Bree’s Blog, under her Twitter Party PAGE tab.

Info on the Twitter Party:

9:30-10:30pm EST, Aug 22nd, Sunday, we will party!

There is a custom tweet grid and a linky for early RSVP. RSVP’ing early (before 9/22 9:30pm) also enters you into special drawings. You do not have to RSVP to tweet and win but the ‘extra’ will not be available.

You can win both the blog blast and at the twitter party!

RSVP at BreeBree's

Teaser Tuesday: The Faith Dare

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

1. Grab your current read,
2. Open to a random page,
3. Share 2 teaser sentences from somewhere on that page,
4. Share the title and author, so that readers can add it to their wish list if they are enticed!!!

***Be Careful Not to include Spoilers!! (Make sure that your teaser doesn't give too much away so that you do not ruin it for future readers!)

This week's teaser is from The Faith Dare by Debbie Alsdorf, page 33:

During the thirty-day faith dare you will be challenged. You will be presented with a portion of biblical truth, and you will be dared to look for ways to live it out in your personal life that day. In other words you will be practicing faith one day at a time.

In my Mailbox Monday: July 19

In my Mailbox Monday originates from two blogs:The Printed
Page and The Story Siren. I am using it to highlight any books that come into my house the previous week, whether they are from the library, from a store, from a friend or actually in the mailbox.

I did not receive a single book this week, BUT I did win Body Gospel by BeachBody! I'm pretty excited about it! Check out the link to learn more about this faith-based weight-loss program. I am not going to buy the shakes or

supplements recommended in this program, but I am going to do the workout videos. The package included 4 DVDs, a nutritional guide, fitness cards that have scripture on one side and sample exercises on the other, a 3-day jump-start guide, a Total Transformation Guide (which includes a journal area with scriptures and a calender of workouts to follow), and a pair of resistance bands with foot straps and handles.

David and Goliath: Part 2

Glass Roads Blog Tour

...In Book Two, David finds himself in college again, renting an apartment from sisters, Nicole and Tammy. David recognizes pretty early that Nicole has strong negative feelings toward her sister, Tammy. Nicole thinks she has an ally in David and that David feels the same jealousy toward fellow wrestler, Matt. Matt looses his leg after a horrible car accident, and David encourages Nicole to acts of kindness. David again uses actions to touch the hearts of those around him, and spiritual warfare is again a key theme.

This book was more suspenseful and fast paced. In addition to the spiritual ramifications, characters faced physical threats. Character development is hard in these shorter stories, and I thought that Hathaway did a pretty good job with it. However, I did want to know a little more about Nicole and Tammy. The theme was strong, and left me wondering how my actions speak to those around me. Does who I am testify and bring glory to the Lord? So far, a thought provoking book...

David and Goliath

Glass Road Public Relations Blog Tour
This novel is broken up into three sections: Book one, two, and three; therefore, I am going to write about "Book One" today and save the next two for Wednesday and Thursday!

David Liberty is the central character of the novel. He is an old man and tired of living. He is unable to move or speak, but he can understand everything that is happening. He wishes he would just die and end the suffering, but after a unexpected visit, he finds he can move his arms again. He realizes that he wants a second chance and is given it in a very unusual way.

In Book One, baseball star, John Barnes is at his best in the game, but off the field, his marriage is struggling. David finds himself working as a gardener for John's wife. He works to find God's will for this family and his role in accomplishing it. I enjoyed this story. The characters were real, as was the challenge they were facing. There were fun points and also educating moments. The theme of spiritual warfare and second chances was well developed...

Teaser Tuesday: David and Goliath

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

1. Grab your current read,
2. Open to a random page,
3. Share 2 teaser sentences from somewhere on that page,
4. Share the title and author, so that readers can add it to their wish list if they are enticed!!!

***Be Careful Not to include Spoilers!! (Make sure that your teaser doesn't give too much away so that you do not ruin it for future readers!)

This week's teaser is from David and Goliath by Bryan Hathaway, page 132:

"The smell of sulfur burned the airways of David's nose. Recognition touched his mind. "You have no power here," he said to the intruder."